Drilling machine



May 28, 1935. F. w. HlLD 2,003,078

DRILLING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 2.- 1921 INVENTOR Frederic 1MHz'id.

ATTORNEY Patented May 28, 1935 PATENT OFFICE DRILLING MACHINE FredericW. Hild,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Original application February 2, 1921, Serlal'No.

441,768. Divided and this application January 30, 1930, Serial No.424,563

24 Claims.

This application is a. division of my application Serial No. 441,768,filed February 2, 1921.

This invention relates generally to drilling machines and moreparticularly to rotary drilling machines for sinking wells, wherein thefeeding of the boring tool is automatically controlled.

An object of the invention is to provide a rotary drilling machine fordrilling wells which is so designed that the drilling pressure may beautomatically maintained at a substantially constant value.

Another object of the invention is to provide hydraulic means responsiveto a portion of the weight of the drilling tool for automaticallyregulating the feeding movement of the tool.

A further object of the invention is to provide hydraulic means forindicating the conditions under which the drilling tool is operating.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, which will be obviousupon reading the following specification, may be achieved by means ofthe apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which thesingle figure is a view, partially in elevation and partially insection, of a drilling machine showing diagrammatically the meansemployed to automatically control the feeding of the drilling tool.

The illustrated drilling machine comprises the,

usual derrick I that is provided, at the top, with a crown block 2, fromwhich is suspended a traveling block 3 by means of a cable 4 toconstitute a multiple tackle that serves to support a drilling orcutting tool 5. The pull rope 6 of the multiple tackle is connected, asusual, to a Windlass or hoist mechanism 1 for raising or lowering thedrilling tool. The cutting tool 5, which is disposed tobe fed bygravity, comprises a drill bit 8, attached to the lower end of a drillstem or pipe 9, which is provided, at its upper end, with a grief stemll of square or other suitable cross-section for eifectin'g rotation 01'the drill bit.

In order that the drill may be suspended from the multiple tackle andalso be free to rotate, the grief stem is provided, at its upper end,with a swivelled head l2 having a clevis l3 by means of which itisconnected to the traveling block 3. As usual, the swivelled head l2isprovided with water-inlet openings l4 through which circulating waterfor the drill bit may be supplied in the conventional manner. 1

For rotating the drill stem 5, a power-driven rotary table I6 isprovided and suitably mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane upon abase or foundation l1, centrally disposed within the derrick I. Therotary table it is provided with a central aperture of suitable shapeand dimensions to loosely engage the grief stem H in such manner that itis free to move longitudinally through the aperture but is constrainedto rotate 5 with the table. As shown, the rotary table I I has wormteeth l8 on its periphery which are engaged by a worm l9 that isdisposed to be driven, by means of a belt and pulley connection 20, byan electric motor 2| or by any other sult- 10 able source of power.

When it is desired to lift the drilling tool 5, the hoist mechanism 1may be operated by the motor 2| by means of a suitable belt-and-pulleyconnection 22. As shown, the hoist mechanism 1 comprises a winding drum23 to which the end 6 of the cable or line 4 is connected in such man-.ner that the cable 4 may be wound upon the drum 23 when it is actuatedby the motor 2!.

In order that the drill 5 may be lowered under control and may beretained in any predetermined position, the hoist drum or Windlass 23 isprovided with a suitable brake mechanism 24.

In the usual multiple tackle mechanism, an end 25 of the cable 4, whichis not attached 35 to the winding drum, is rigidly fixed to some portionof the derrick or to an anchor suitably fastened in the earth and isknown as the dead end of the cable. However, in order to effectautomatic operation of the feeding mechanism, the end 25 of the cable 4,which is normally fixed, is connected to a control mechanism whichgoverns the feeding of the drill in accordance with the unsupportedweight of the drill stem 5, which is obviously proportional to the pullexerted at the dead end 25 of the cable 4.

The feed-control mechanism comprises a fluid-tight cylinder 3|, withinwhich is disposed a cooperating piston 32 having a piston rod 33, towhich the end 25 of cable 4 is connected. A body'of liquid, such as oilor water, which is interposed between the piston 32 and the end of thecylinder 3|, is subjected to a pressure that is proportional to theforce exerted by the cable 4 and, consequently, is proportional to theweight or downward force exerted by that portion of the drill stem 5which is not supported by the material that is being drilled.

In order to vary the feeding force of the drill inversely relative tothe pressure exerted by it upon the work, the pressure set up within thefluid body in the cylinder 3| is transmitted, through a pipe 34, to ahydraulic regulating device 35 that is disposed to actuate the brake 24.on the winding drum 2!. As shown, the hydraulic device 25 comprises acylinder- 26 that is provided with a piston 81 having a piston rod 34connected by means of linkage 39 to the brake band 24. Beneath thepiston 31 is disposed a strong coil spring 4| which normally holds thebrake band 24 in close engagement with the drum. 23 to prevent it fromrotating.

It may be readily understood that, when the pressure'exerted' upon theoperating liquid by the piston 22 is transmitted through the pipe 34 tothe upper end of the cylinder 26, the downward force exerted by theliquid upon the piston 21 will partially overcome the force exerted inthe upward direction by the spring 4|, and the brake band 24 will beloosened in proportion to the pressure within the fluid body.Consequently, the retarding eflect exerted upon the drum 23 by the brake24 will be reduced, and the drum 23 will be permitted to turn anamountsufllcient to loosen the cable 4 and permitthe drill 5 to belowered into the well which is being drilled by it.

During normal operation of the drilling machine, the pressure within thefluid body occupying the cylinders 3| and 36 is proportional to theweight of the drill stem 5 which is suspended by the multiple tackle andinversely proportional to the pressure exerted upon the work by thedrill bit 8. When, during the operation of drilling, the drill bit 8outs itself tree, or, in other words, cuts away the material in such.manner that it no longer exerts a substantial drilling pressure, theweight of the drill stem, which is suspended by the tackle, will beincreased, and the pressure in the hydraulic system, consequently,increased, whereby; the

, brake 24 will be released as described, and the drill will bepermitted to move downwardly, under the action of gravity, to suchposition that it will again exert the necessary drilling pressure on theformation being drilled.

. In order to provide for adjusting the rate of progress of the drillbit 8,, the hydraulic device 15 is made adjustable by :means of anadjusting screw 42. The adjusting screw 42 is disposed to exert a forceagainst the lower end of the spring 4| in such manner that, when it istightened, the .spring 4| is caused to exert an increased pressure uponthe brake band 24. It is obvious that, ii the pressure exerted upon theb ake band 24 by the spring 4| is increased,

then the pressure within the hydraulic system mustnecessarily beincreased, in order to overcome the pressure exerted by the spring andto Consequently, if the release the brake 24. spring 4| is tightened,the rate of drilling will be reduced and, conversely, it the spring isloosened, the rate of drilling will be increased, inasmuch as the brakeband 24 will not engage the drum 23 as closely as before, and thedrilling tool 5 will be permitted to feed more rapidly under the actionof gravity.

In order to indicate the pressure within the hydraulic system, theconnecting pipe 34 is provided with a pressure gauge 45 and, likewise, apressure-regulating valve 46 is provided for regulating the hydraulicsystem and for preventing oscillations which might result from suddenvariations in the drillingpressure, if the connecting pipe 34 were leftopen to permit free passage of the liquid from the one to the othercylinder. In considering the operation of a drilling machine embodyingmy invention, it will be noted that the Hydraulic system and the spring4| provide a resilient support for the drill stem I and, should thedrill bit 8 suddenly tree itself from the material being drilled, itwould quickly descend and re-engage the material by reason of the factthat the piston 82 in the cylinder 2| would move upwardly. The upwardmovement or the piston 32 would be permitted because of the resilienceof the spring 4| and, inasmuch as the brake 24 would then be released topermit the drum 23 to turn slightly, the normal operating conditionswould be re-established and the piston 32 would return to its formerposition.

Although I have described a single embodiment of my invention, it willbe obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may bemade in the disposition and proportions of the parts of the drillingmachine without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1..In a well-drilling rig, the combination of a derrick, a drill stem, aline suspending the stem from the derrick, stem-feeding control meansassociated with the derrick and including a power drum having said lineconnected thereto, whereby the drum maybe rotated for lowering the stem,and secondary feeding control means for the stem including a hydrauliccylinder anchored adjacent to said drum and operatively connected tosaid line for controlling the movement of the line and permittingfeeding of the stem downwardly by gravity, said latter means beingseparate from, and independent oi, the stem.

2. The combination, in a well-drilling apparatus, 01. a drill pipe, alowering device for supporting a portion of the weight of the drillpipe, a brake associated with said device for controlling the feeding ofthe drill pipe, and resilient means operatively associated with saiddevice to actuate said brake as the portion of the weight of the drillpipe carried by said device varies.

3. In a drilling machine, a rotary drill tool disposed to be ted bygravity, means for suspending the drill tool, said suspending meanscontaining a fluid-body under a pressure proportional to the forceexerted on the suspending means by the drill tool, and means responsiveto a pressure in the fluid body inversely proportional to the forceexerted by the tool on the suspending means for permitting the drilltool to be fed to its work by gravity.

4. The combination, in a well drilling apparatus, of a drill pipe, alowering device for supporting a portion of the weight of the drillpipe, ahydraulic device associated with the lowering device and disposedto exert pressure in proportion to the portion of the weight of thedrill pipe carried by said apparatus, a brake for controlling thelowering of the drill pipe, and means responsive to the pressure in thehydraulic device for actuating the brake.

5. In a well-drilling apparatus, in combination,

'feeding device iorsupporting a portion or the weight of the drill, saidfeeding device comprising a brake disposed to resist downward movementof the drill, and a hydraulic device for releasing the brake in responseto predetermined pressure exerted on the feeding device by the portionof the weight of the drill supported thereby.

7. In a drilling machine, a rotary and longitudinally-movable drill tooldisposed to be fedby gravity, means containing a fluid body underpressure said pressure resulting from sustaining a portion of the weightof the tool by the fluid,

means for resisting the feeding effect of gravity, and means responsiveto the pressure in the fluid body for releasing the resisting means topermit the drill to advance at a rate substantially inverselyproportional to the portion or the weight thereof which is sustained bythe fluid 8. In a well-drilling apparatus, in combination, a rotatabledrill, means for suspending the drill comprising a crown block and atraveling block, a cable passing through the blocks, a drum for windingthe cable to raise or lower the drill, one end of said cable beingconnected thereto, a brake on said drum, a hydraulic cylinder, a pistonwithin the cylinder operatively connected to the other end of the cable,and means responsive to the pressure within the cylinder for operatingthe brake on the drum.

9. In a well-drilling apparatus, in combination, a rotatable drill, adraw-works for hoisting the drill, means for suspending the drillcomprising a cableand pulleys, one end of said cable being connected tothe draw-works, a brake mechanism on the draw-works, a forceresponsivedevice connected to the other end of the cable and disposed to actuatethe brake on the draw-works to permit the drill to feed in accordancewith the proportion of its weight which is not supported by the materialbeing drilled.

10. In a well-drilling rig, in combination, a derrick, a drill stem, 2.line suspending the drill stem from the derrick, a power-operated drumand means associated with the hydraulic c y1 inder for operating thebrake to permit lower ng the drill stem.

11. The combination of a drilling means operative \mder its own weightfor advancing, a brake for regulating the advance of said drillingmeans, and fluid-pressure means for automatically controlling saidregulating brake in accordance with changes in the resistance of thematerial being. drilled, to thereby maintain substantially uniformdrilling conditions.

12. An apparatus for drilling deep wells comprising a drill stem, meansfor rotating the drill stem, means for suspending part or the weight ofthe drill stem and operable to pay out under the weight of the drillstem, a brake for regulating the action of said suspending means, andfluid-pressure means adapted to operate said brake in accordance withchange in the resistance of the material being drilled.

13. The combination, in a well-drilling apparatus, oi. drilling means, alowering device for supporting a portion of the weight of said drillingmeans, the drilling means. carrying the remalnder, braking meansassociated with said lowering device for controlling the feeding of thedrilling means, a fluid cylinder operatively associated with saidlowering device so that varia-- the tool to be fed by gravity, andmeansactuated by variations in said fluid pressure as a result of thevariations of the portion of the tool supported by the fluid t'o'controlthe operation 01. said feeding means.

i 15. In a well drilling organization, a drill string provided with aboring tool, a cable providing a predetermined partialsupport for thestring, winding means for said cable, meansfor securing said windingmeans, positive operating means for releasing said securing means, andmeans responsive to the tension insaid cable for controlling saidoperating means whereby said operating means is caused to release saidwinding means so as to maintain a predetermined constant tension in saidcable corresponding to said predetermined partial support for the drillstring and thereby maintain a substantially constant pressure of theboring tool upon" the earth formation.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with adrum, a brake for said drum, and a load-supporting cable on said drum,

of an automatic brake actuator to which said cable and brake areoperatively connected.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with adrum, a brake for said drum, a crown block, a traveling block adapted tobe attached to a load and a cable extending from said drum and throughsaid blocks, of an automatic brake actuator attached to the dead line ofsaid cable and operatively connected to said brake.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with adrum, a brake for said. drum, and a load-supporting cable on said drum,of an automatic brake actuator to which said cable and brake areconnected, and

a device interposed between said actuator and 'said brake, said devicebeing manually movable to permit the operation of said brakeindependently of said actuator.

19. In combination with a drilling rig including drilling tools, a cablesupporting said drilling tools, a revolubly mounted drum having saidcable wound thereupon to effect lowering of said drilling tools when thedrum is rotated to pay out cable, and releasable means for holding saiddrum against rotation; a drilling regulator comprising a translatingdevice operatively connected to said cable and adapted to release saiddrum holding means, said translating device being actuated when thetension imposed upon said cable has increased to a predeterminedmaximum.

20. In combination with a drilling rig including drilling tools, a cablesupporting said drilling tools, a revolubly mounted drum having saidcable wound thereupon to efl'ect lowering of said drilling tools whenthe drum is rotated to pay out cable, and releasable means for holdingsaid drum against rotation; a drilling regulator comprising atranslating device operatively connected to said cable and adapted torelease or set 75 said drum holding means when the tension imposed uponsaid cable has increased to a predetermined maximum or decreased to apredetermined minimum respectively.

21. In combination with a drilling rig including drilling tools, a cablesupporting said drilling tools, a revolubly mounted drum having saidcable wound thereupon to effect lowering of said drilling tools when thedrum is rotated to pay out cable, and releasable means for bolding saiddrum against rotation; a drilling regulator comprising a translatingdevice operatively connected to said cable and adapted to release saiddrum holding means, said translating device being activated when thetension imposed upon said cable has increased to a predetermined'maximum, and means for adjusting said translating device to operate atselected points within he range of variation of cable stress.

22. In combination with a drilling rig including drilling tools, a cablesupporting said drilling tools, a revolubly mounted drum havingsaidcable wound thereupon to effect lowering of said drilling tools whenthe drum is rotated to pay out cable, and releasable means for holdingsaid drum against rotation; a drilling regulator comprising atranslating device operatively con nected to said cable and adapted torelease or set said drum holding means when the tension imposed uponsaid cable has increased to a predetermined maximum or decreased to apredetermined minimum respectively, and means for adjusting saidtranslating device to operate at selected points within the range ofvariation of cable stress.

2 3. In combination with a drilling rig including drilling tools, a.cable supporting said drilling tools,-means for paying out cable, andreleasable means for holding .said paying out 24, In a device forautomatically controlling,

the feeding pressure in a well-drilling apparatus, the combination of alowering device having a cable wound thereon for supporting the drillingtool, a brake mechanism for controlling said lowering device, afluid-pressure cylinder having

